Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on the horizon

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television during the week of Sept. 13, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week. Televised films may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence and sexual situations while the programs listed have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by OSV News.

Streaming Now:

“Field of Dreams” (1989; Netflix)

When an Iowa farmer (Kevin Costner) begins hearing voices, he and his supportive wife (Amy Madigan) use the family savings to turn a cornfield into a baseball field, whereupon the spirits of Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta) and others appear to play ball, with their visions and voices enabling a reconciliation between the farmer and his deceased father. Adapted by director Phil Alden Robinson from W.P. Kinsella’s novel, it’s filled with happy, confounding surprises that some may dismiss as heavy-handed fantasy, though others will be refreshed by its positive point of view, wonderful mystical characters, love of baseball lore and respect for those who follow their dreams. Minor rough language. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

“Jurassic Park” (1993; Hulu)

A bizarre theme park featuring genetically re-created dinosaurs becomes a potential deathtrap when the carnivorous monsters break loose, endangering some visiting scientists (Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum) and two very frightened young children (Joseph Mazzello and Ariana Richards). Director Steven Spielberg’s monster fantasy downplays plot and characterization in favor of spectacle and horrific special effects in which the realistic-looking creatures hunt down their human prey. Much intense menace to children and several stylized scenes of violent death. The OSV News classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (The sequel “Jurassic Park III” (2001) is also streaming.)

“No Way Out” (1987; Amazon Prime)

Three-way power struggle erupts when a high-ranking politico (Gene Hackman) and his chief counsel (Will Patton) try to cover up the accidental death of a party girl (Sean Young) unknowingly shared by the politician’s CIA liaison officer (Kevin Costner). Director Roger Donaldson’s taut tale of betrayal and the abuse of power is marred by a fairly graphic lovemaking scene. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, Sept. 13, 8:02-11 p.m. EDT (ABC) “The Parent Trap” (1998). Slow-paced but often charming remake of the 1961 tale of 11-year-old identical twin sisters (Lindsay Lohan as both) whose parents had divorced when they were infants, one going to England with the mother (Natasha Richardson) while the other remained in California with the father (Dennis Quaid), until the siblings finally meet in summer camp, then switch places on their return home and set to work reuniting their parents. Directed by Nancy Meyers, the sentimental premise yields a number of heartwarming moments and the mischievous antics of the twins provide some comic relief, but the feel-good results are superficial at best. Some unamusing pranks and a scene of amateur ear-piercing. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

Monday, Sept. 14, 10-midnight EDT (PBS) “Ghost in the Machine.” Filmmaker Valerie Veatch’s documentary explores the rise and nature of Artificial Intelligence.

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) “Against All Flags” (1952). Colorful swashbuckler in which an English sea captain (Errol Flynn) joins a pirate crew in order to enter their impregnable island fortress, then destroy it. Directed by George Sherman, the formula plot focuses on the hero’s problems with a suspicious buccaneer (Anthony Quinn), a lovely pirate captain (Maureen O’Hara) and the Grand Mogul’s captured daughter. Stylized violence and romantic situations. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association.

Thursday, Sept. 17, 8-10:30 p.m. EDT (TCM) “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968). Director Stanley Kubrick’s epic work, co-written with Arthur C. Clarke, is both science fiction and metaphysical poetry using an unconventional mixture of visuals and music to bridge humanity’s reconstructed past, identifiable present and projected future, all tied together by the recurring image of a monolith as symbol of a superhuman existence. The central narrative follows the struggle of two astronauts (Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood) to wrest control of their spacecraft from HAL, a talking computer (voice of Douglas Rain), on a half-billion-mile trip to Jupiter and the unknown. For young people and imaginative adults but too long, deep and intense for children. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association rating was G — general audiences. All ages admitted.

Friday, Sept. 18, 9-10 p.m. EDT (EWTN) “The Making of a Missionary Pope: The Journey of Leo XIV.” This special explores the people, experiences and communities that formed Leo XIV’s global vision and prepared him to become the missionary pope he is today (TV-G — general audience).

Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30-10 p.m. EDT (AMC) “Misery” (1990). Injured in a car crash, a romance novelist (James Caan) is rescued by his number one fan (Kathy Bates) who keeps him in her remote farmhouse and becomes his deadly tormentor. Stephen King’s horror story becomes a tautly edited, gripping psychological thriller in the hands of director Rob Reiner who coaxes top-notch performances from the chilling Bates, the terrorized Caan and a crafty sheriff (Richard Farnsworth). Climactic graphic violence and minimal rough language. The OSV News classification of the theatrical version was A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating was R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on the horizon

Streaming Now:

Looking Ahead:

Read More Movie & Television Reviews